Local firefighters observe breast cancer awareness month

Crews with Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Services are turning heads this month as the department observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Crew members are wearing pink T-shirts in their support of breast cancer awareness.

It's the second year the department is participating in the national campaign.

International Association of Fire Fighters Union 4068 (IAFF) President Justin Snow said the department, for the first time, is now selling the specially-designed shirts to raise funds for the local Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

"This year we are actually selling our T-shirts to members of the public and they are very close to the ones we wear on duty," he said. "The only difference is the chest of the ones that we wear on duty, says Pahrump Valley Fire Department and the ones we are selling say Pahrump Valley Firefighters."

Snow said the department wanted to show its support for awareness because everyone knows somebody who's been affected by breast cancer.

"I know quite a few people, both male and female, come down with it and cancer in general is quite an issue in our modern society," he said. "We felt that we should do something locally to raise awareness and donate part of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation."

The shirts, Snow said, are made locally and can be purchased online from a company in Las Vegas.

"They can order them straight off the website and they will ship it right to your home," he said. "The design was created by our public relations committee and I'm very proud of it. I really like the way they came out, because it's kind of a bold design."

Last year there was a contest between all of the participating fire departments across the country for the best design.

"We came in pretty high up for such a small department," he said. "I don't know whether they are doing it again this year but if they are we will participate."

Snow also said the department will also observe Veterans Day with a specially-designed shirt honoring all veterans.

To order or view the shirts, logon to http://heroic.supply and go to the bottom of the page.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris @pvtimes.com. Follow @sharrispvt on Twitter.